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1873 
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( 0RT OF THE COMMISSIONERS 



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IN THE 



STATE OF NEW JERSEY, 



FOE THE YEAR 1873. 



TRENTON, N. J.: 

THE STATE GAZETTE— MURPHY & BECHTEL, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 



1873. 





/ 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS 



ON THE 



]]ea( and jjiimb, |jlrad and JpBIc- ||indcd, 



IN THE 



STATE OF ]STEW JERSEY, 



FOE THE YEAR 1873. 



TRENTON, N. J.: 

THE STATE GAZETTE — MURPHY & BECHTEL, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 

1873. 



ACT FORMING COMMISSION. 



An Act for the appointment of commissioners to examine into the 
condition of 
of this state 



condition of the deaf and dumb, blind and feeble-minded inhabitants 



1. Be IT enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State 
of New Jersey, That the governor be and is hereby authorized to 
appoint five citizens of this State as commissioners to examine into 
the condition of the deaf and dumb, blind and feeble-minded persons, 
inhabitants of this state ; said commissioners to report to the 
governor as soon as practicable, and that the governor deliver the 
said report to the next legislature for their action. 

2. And be it enacted, That the said commissioners shall report to 
the governor the whole number of such deaf and dumb, blind and 
feebleminded persons in this state, and shall examine into the 
feasibility of building an asylum or asylums for such persons, and 
said commissioners shall receive no compensation whatever, but the 
actual expenses incurred by them shall be paid by this state upon 
the approval of the governor. 

3. And be it enacted, That this act shall go into effect immediately. 
Approved March 11, 1873. 



APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS. 



State of New Jersey, ) 

Executive Department, [ 

Trenton, April 23, 1873. ) 

To Charles D.Deshler, Jeremiah Baker, William S. Yard, Charles D. 
Hendrickson and Ralph B. Goudy : 

Gentlemen : — By virtue of an act entitled "An act for the appoint- 
ment of commissioners to examine into the condition of the deaf and 
dumb, blind and feeble-minded inhabitants of this State," approved 
March 11, 1873, I hereby appoint you said commissioners. You 
will ascertain the number and condition of deaf and dumb, blind 
and feeble-minded persons in this State, and examine into the feasi- 
bility of building an asylum or asylums for such persons, and report 
to me as soon as practicable. 

Given under my hand and seal, at the Executive Chamber 
[l. s.] in the city of Trenton, the twenty- third day of April, A. D., 
1873. 

JOEL PARKER. 
Attest : — 

John A. Hall, Private Secretary. 



REPORT. 



To his Excellency Joel Parker, Governor of the State of New Jersey : 

Sir : — The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by your Excel- 
lency, by virtue of "An act for the appointment of commissioners to 
examine into the condition of the deaf and dumb, blind and feeble- 
minded inhabitants of this state,' 7 approved March 11, 1873, 
respectfully report : 

The language of the act forming the Commission is as follows : 

1. Be IT enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State 
of New Jersey, That the governor be and is hereby authorized to 
appoint five citizens of this state as commissioners to examine into 
the condition of the deaf and dumb, blind and feeble-minded persons , 
inhabitants of this state ; said commissioners to report to the governor 
as soon as practicable, and that the governor deliver the said report 
to the next legislature for their action. 

2. And be it enacted, That the said commissioners shall report to 
the governor the whole number of such deaf and dumb, blind and 
feeble-minded persons in this state, and shall examine into the feasi- 
bility of building an asylum or asylums for such persons, and said 
commissioners shall receive no compensation whatever, but the actual 
expenses incurred by them shall be paid by this state upon the 
approval of the governor. 

3. And be it enacted, That this act shall go into effect immediately. 

The duties devolved by this act upon the undersigned, as they 
understand it, were as follows : 

1. To examine into the condition of the several classes of unfor- 
tunates, belonging to this State, named in the act. 

2. To report their whole number. 

3. To examine into the feasibility of building an asylum or asy- 
lums for them. 

These points will be severally considered in the order in which 
they are recited. 

their condition. 

The condition of these unfortunates is to be considered in two 
aspects : with relation to those who are beneficiaries of the bounty 
of the State, at the various institutions where they are cared for ; 



8 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

and with relation to those who are scattered throughout the State, 
without any special provision for their benefit. 

There are one hundred and twenty-one unfortunates, belonging to 
this State, of the three classes named, who are maintained at insti- 
tutions in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, at an annual 
aggregate cost to this State of $36,600. Of these forty-one are blind, 
varying in age from seven and a half to thirty-eight years, the aver- 
age being fifteen, and the annual cost of maintenance $12,300; fifty- 
three are deaf and dumb, varying in age from seven to nineteen 
years, the average age being thirteen, and the annual cost $16,375 ; 
and twenty-seven are feeble-minded, varying in age from eight to 
eighteen years, the average age being thirteen, and the annual cost 
$7,925. These institutions have been visited, and we have had full 
and free interviews with our children in them, and have carefully 
inspected their condition and surroundings. We are glad to be able 
to say without reservation that their healthfulness, happiness, and 
proficiency are eloquent witnesses for the patient and effective train- 
ing, and the tender and affectionate care and oversight of the super- 
intendents and instructors who have them in charge. We found all 
the children of the State in robust health, animated, playful, cheerful, 
and, with the exception of the feeble-minded, manifesting a quick- 
ness of perception and a degree of intelligence that would be credit- 
able in children in the enjoyment of all their faculties. Some of 
them exhibited considerable mechanical ingenuity; and a number 
showed remarkable skill in the use of sewing machines and in the ac- 
quirement of the various simple handicrafts upon which they must 
mainly rely for a livelihood upon leaving their sheltering institu- 
tions. Among the blind, the taste for music — especially for instru- 
mental music — seemed very general ; and instances of accomplish- 
ment in this delightful art, and of facility in its execution, were 
proportionally as numerous among them as among children at large. 
In the two classes of the deaf and dumb, and the blind, the evi- 
dences of improvement, mentally and morally, were marked and in- 
dubitable ; and it was easy to note the steps of advancement made 
by them in intellectual perception, and in the distinction between 
right and wrong, by comparing the condition of children recently 
entered at the institutions, with that of those who had been inmates 
for six months or a year, or for longer periods. In like manner we 
were able to trace their stages of improvement in self-helpfulness 
and in an increasing sense of responsibility as moral agents. Among 
the feeble-minded, while the improvement in these and other re- 
spects was eminently gratifying, from the nature of the case, it was 
in a sensibly inferior degree. The deficiency of these poor unfor- 
tunates being in the mind itself, and not confined to bodily organs 
merely ; the progress made is necessarily almost imperceptible, and 
the results are reached by slow and toilsome approaches. After a 
close examination into the condition of these several classes of un 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 9 

fortunates who are the wards of the State in various institutions, we 
unreservedly express the conviction that they are wisely treated and 
cared for, with reference both to their physical and their mental and 
moral well-being; that their training is admirably adapted to their 
peculiar needs ; and that their education is efficient to the object in 
view of making them as nearly self-sustaining members of society as 
is possible in face of their organic defects. We have noted no 
abuses w^hich we desire to have remedied ; and cordially bear testi- 
mony to the skill, watchfulness, conscientiousness and broad humanity 
of those who have them in charge. 

Widely different from this is the condition of those of these unfor- 
tunates who are distributed over our State without any provision for 
their benefit. Their lot has no alleviation, and there is no aspect 
of their condition that is not marked by a forbidding gloom. Instead 
of being in the line of improvement, either physically, mentally, or 
morally, they are inevitably gravitating lower and lower in the scale 
of humanity, And while they are undergoing this process they are 
subjected to want, pitiless exposure and shameful outrage ; they are 
rendered incapable of contributing to their own self-support by hav- 
ing no opportunity of learning how to do so ; and with few excep- 
tions, they must in time become a public charge and burthen, where 
they are not so already. Especially pitiable is the case of the large 
body of feeble-minded persons in our State, over one thousand in 
number, who are not supported by its bounty. A large proportion 
of these are scattered among our alms-houses, filthy, diseased, 
untaught, in many cases treated with shocking indifference, and in 
others with still more shocking cruelty. Others are in the nominal 
care of ignorant, or poor, or heartless relatives, to whom they are a 
burthen and a shame, and by whom they are permitted to descend 
to a level lower than that of the beast. The whole are a blot upon 
civilization, a reproach against our enlightenment and Christianity, 
an indignity upon the race, and a shame to our State and people. 
These sightless eyes, deaf ears, mute tongues and vacant minds are 
a perpetual witness against us before God and man ; and, hereafter, 
we cannot escape our responsibility by pleading ignorance of the 
facts. 

THEIR WHOLE NUMBER. 

By the terms of the act framing this Commission, it was ordered 
that the " Commissioners shall report to the Governor the whole 
number of such deaf and dumb, blind and feeble-minded persons in 
this State." At an early meeting the Commissioners satisfied them- 
selves that the true number of these unfortunates in this State could 
not be ascertained from the census of 1870, and that the number 
therein stated was greatly below the fact. After a careful considera- 
tion of the act, having in view its mandatory phraseology, "the 
Commissioners shall report the whole number," etc., and being of the 



10 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

opinion that the assignment to them of a duty by the Legislature 
carried with it the authority to use the means necessary for its per- 
formance, the Commissioners unanimously resolved upon a partial 
canvass of the State as the only mode of gathering the information 
which the act commanded them to report. But as there might be 
some doubt of the authority of the Commissioners to incur the 
expense of this canvass, the following note on the subject was addressed 
to your Excellency : 

New Brunswick, May 23, ?873. 

His Excellency Joel Parker, Governor, fyc. : 

Dear Sir: — At a meeting of the Commission "to examine into the 
condition of the deaf and dumb, blind and feeble-minded persons, 
inhabitants of this State/ 7 the following resolution was offered by 
Judge Yard and adopted : 

Resolved, That a canvass of several of the counties be had to 
ascertain the number in each of the deaf and dumb, blind and feeble- 
minded, their age, sex and color, and that the Commission employ 
persons to make said canvass. 

This action was taken for the following reasons : 

The act under which the Commission was framed makes it the duty 
of the Commissioners "to report to the Governor the whole number 
of such deaf and dumb, blind and feeble-minded persons in this 
State.' 7 

The Commissioners have fully satisfied themselves that the census 
of 1870 is extremely inaccurate, being largely below the truth. They 
know of no other means of arriving at the whole number of the 
persons referred to in the act, except a general or a partial canvass 
of the State, and have concluded upon the latter, proposing to have 
a canvass made of three or four of the counties, so as to cover the 
rural, the city, and the manufacturing districts. By a comparison 
of this eanvass with the figures of the census the ratio ot excess or 
deficiency may be ascertained. 

Under the clause of the act providing that the "actual expenses 
incurred by the Commissioners shall be paid by the State," the Com- 
missioners believe they are warranted in employing persons to make 
this canvass and to pay them for so doing. 

Will you oblige us by your opinion upon the subject? 

Yours respectfully, 

C. D. DESHLER, 

Chairman of Commission. 

This letter was referred by your Excellency to the Attorney 
General for his opinion, but no opinion having been received from 
him on the subject by the Commissioners or, as we are informed, 
by your Excellency, they were obliged to abandon the project of a 



DEAF AJND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 11 

partial enumeration and to resort to such other means as were in 
their power for the attainment of the object. To this end letters 
were addressed to the various county medical societies asking their 
assistance, and to the boards of chosen freeholders in all the counties, 
explaining the methods by which the needed statistics might be 
conveniently ascertained, and enclosing carefully prepared blanks to 
be tilled by each of their townships. Many townships have failed 
to make any returns, being deterred by the trouble involved, for 
which they would receive no remuneration. A considerable number 
of carefully prepared returns have been received, however, and from 
these and other sources we have derived the information upon which 
the estimates now presented of the number of the classes named in 
the act are based. The results attained through these data are cor- 
roborated by information derived elsewhere, which will be referred 
to as we proceed. 

By the census of 1870 the number of deaf and dumb in New 
Jersey is stated to be 231, of the blind 3 17, and of the feeble-minded 
436. We believe these figures to be unreliable and greatly^below 
the fact for the following reasons : 

1. The census of 1870 is inconsistent with itself. If the propor- 
tion of the deaf and dumb in New Jersey is the same, relatively to 
the population, as in the united States, their number in New Jersey 
should be 380. On the same basis the number of the blind in New 
Jersey should be 477, and of the feeble-minded 576. 

2. Special investigations which have been made in several of the 
States, at or near the latitude of New Jersey, reveal that there is 
one deaf and dumb, and one blind person to every 1,8 JO inhabitants, 
equal to 500 4 of each in New Jersey. In Europe the ratio is much 
greater, careful inquiries showing that in European States in the 
latitude of New Jersey there is one blind person to every 800 
inhabitants. 

3. Taking as a basis the returns which have been made to this 
Commission from the medical societies and townships in New Jersey, 
we find that if the proportion of unfortunates in the State at large is 
the same as in these townships, and it is doubtless greater, since the 
returns for these give comparatively few, less than eighteen per cent, 
of the whole, of those who are eighteen and under, the number of 
deaf and dumb in New Jersey must be 526, ot the blind 800, and of 
the feeble-minded 1,308. We may say in this connection that in one 
of our counties there are 25 feeble-minded persons in the county 
alms house, drawn exclusively from the pauper class, and if there is 
an equal proportion in the entire State the number of these imbeciles 
of the pauper class alone must be 534. We may further add that 
specialists on the subject concur in* stating that the number of the 
feeble-minded and of the insane are everywhere about equal. Tne 
number of insane persons in New Jersey, according to the census of 



12 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

1870, is 918. But Dr. Buttolph believes the true Dumber to be over 
1,400. 

4. For various other obvious reasons the census of 1870 is defec- 
tive. As it regards the. Mind, aside from inevitable errors on the 
side of an under enumeration arising from the negligence and 
inaccuracy of the census takers, and from the ignorance, the careless- 
ness, and the prevalence of false motives to concealment on the part 
of the people, there is the important fact to be noted that only the 
totally blind are enumerated. The equally numerous class of the 
pur-blind, who cannot be taughtin ordinary schools among the seeing, 
and who are incapacitated for learning trades or pursuing occupations 
for a livelihood, are entirely omitted. In like manner false pride, 
motives of shame or delicacy, and other causes, conspire to prevent 
anything like full returns of the class known as idiots, imbeciles, or 
feeble-minded. Another element which tends to reduce below the 
fact the figures of the census relative to the defectives of New 
Jersey, is the omission to enumerate all the persons belonging to 
these defective classes who are in the institutions of other States as 
beneficiaries from this State. 

5. In reply to a circular letter addressed by the Commission to all 
the superintendents of institutions in the United States having 
charge of the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the feeble minded, 
twenty-seven responses have been received bearing upon particulars 
of prime importance as to their care and instruction; and in reply 
to the inquiry, " Do you find the number of either of these classes 
in your State, as given in the census of 1870, to be below the fact ? " 
their concurrent testimony is that it is largely so, the deficiency vary- 
ing in different sections of the country from fifteen to fifty per cent, 
for the blind ; from twenty to fifty per cent, for the deaf and dumb, 
and from twenty-five to one hundred per cent, for the feeble-minded. 
For example, C. T. Wilbur, M. D., Superintendent of the Illinois 
Institution for Feeble-minded Children, says: " The census of 1870 
gives Illinois 1,244 idiotic persons. I have a book containing the 
names of about 2,000, and there are more." Mr. J. A. McWhorter, 
Superintendent of the Louisiana Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 
says : «• not one-haif in Louisiana were enumerated ; in one-half of 
the parishes not a case was enumerated. Of those coming to the in- 
stitution since 1870, he adds that only nine out of thirty-nine were 
enumerated."* 

In view, therefore, of the statistics which your Commissioners 
have themselves procured from the different townships and other 
sources of information in this State; and in consideration of the 
reasons adduced and the e idence cited as above, we respectfully 
report that in our judgment the whole number of deaf and dumb in 
New Jersey is not less than 50U ; that the whole number of the blind 

* For the detailed opinions of the various superintendents on this interesting point, see the " Replies to 
Question Six," in the appendix to this report at page 38. 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 13 

is not less than 600 ; and that the whole number of the feeble-minded 
exceeds 1,000. 

THE QUESTION OF FEASIBILITY. 

• 

In considering this branch of the duty devolved upon them by the 
terms of the act creating the commission, your Commissioners are 
met by a difficulty arising from the ambiguity of the phrase which 
requires them " to examine into the feasibility of building an asylum 
or asylums,'' etc. They have come to the conclusion that the word 
feasibility was not intended to be construed in the sense of the pos- 
sibility or the practicability of the proposed action ; since the Leg- 
islature was far better able than they to decide whether it was or 
was not within the pecuniary or physical ability of the State or in 
conformity with the will of its citizens, to provide suitable grounds 
and buildings for the care of our defective classes. We have there- 
fore, presumed to interpret the word feasibility in the sense of desira- 
bility or advisability ; and to consider it our duty to bring together, 
in one view, as a step preliminary to further legislation, all the in- 
formation we could collect with reference to these grandly humane 
institutions, together with the evidence in favor of the desirability 
or advisability of their establishment by our State. With this con- 
struction of our duty, we have made no inquiries relative to the ques- 
tion of sites, and shall present no plans or estimates for buildings, 
but shall simply deal with the general subject which, in our judg- 
ment, has been committed to us. 

When a virtuous commonwealth or individual prosecutes a candid 
inquiry as to the desirability or advisability of any project the first 
question that suggests itself is, " What is my duty V s And the next, 
11 Wherein have I come short of my duty ? ;; We believe it will not 
be disputed in this enlightened age and commonwealth that it is the 
duty of the State to protect its helpless classes, who are made so by 
the visitation of Almighty God, and whose natural protectors are 
unable to care for them. And, further, that as a matter of self- 
interest and self-protection it should educate all its children of this 
class, or cause them to be educated, to the intent that they may be 
fitted to contribute to its material and moral welfare : or, at least, 
that they may be enabled to become self-supporting as far as may be, 
and may not fall as a perpetual life-burthen upon the public. To 
meet this view of duty and self-interest, and also from the more 
exalted motive of humanity, in nearly all civilized countries, govern- 
ments have assumed the care and education of their deat and dumb, 
blind, insane, and the like. It has been held that the natural pro- 
tectors of these classes, even when wealthy and educated, could not 
properly instruct them, or alleviate or cure their peculiar infirmities ; 
while, lor obvious reasons the poor and uneducated would utterly 
fail to do so. And further, that the general welfare demanded the 



14 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

treatment of these classes by specialists, whose whole time and 
thought should be given to the business, in institutions provided by 
the State. The people of New Jersey do not need to be educated 
up to this standard, as has been shown by their appropriations and 
expenditures for the insane, for the orphan and fatherless, for the 
reformation of youthful criminals, for the maintenance and training 
at the institutions of other States of her deaf and dumb, blind and 
feeble-minded, and by her school law making the education of all 
her children between the ages of five and eighteen free, and at the 
public expense. The obligation is admitted, and your Commissioners 
believe that the State will be ready to perform its whole duty to its 
helpless ones when the facts of their case are made generally known. 

What are these facts ? The reply is startling. There are in New 
Jersey at least 500 deaf and dumb, 600 blind, and 1000 imbecile 
persons, or a total of two thousand, who are more utterly helpless 
than babes. Of these the State provides for 53 deaf and dumb, 41 
blind, and 27 feeble-minded ; or only 121 in all, leaving 1879 uncared 
for ; many of whom are a burthen and an excrescence upon society, 
are useless to themselves or the world, are abused, maltreated, and 
crushed to the level of the brute ; in whom the spark of intellect is 
nearly quenched, and from whose souls the image of God, from the 
first marred and defaced, is being rapidly obliterated. This is the 
statement for the people of New Jersey to ponder. It is suggestive 
of our duty and our obligation, our neglect and our self-interest, as 
citizens of a prosperous, a wealthy, and a happy State, in which 
every soul has a distinct value as a unit of the commonwealth where 
intelligence is almost universal, and where Christian enlightenment 
is diffused as widely as the material atmosphere. 

At this point the question naturally arises, whether it is required 
by our duty and demanded by a consideration for the best interests 
of the defective classes and of the State, to place the whole number 
of these unfortunates in institutions provided by the State. Your 
Commissioners are of the opinion that our duty would be best per- 
formed, and the interests of the defectives and of the State be best 
subserved by the adoption of a system of institutions which shall 
be schools for the education and training of so many of these unfor- 
tunates only as are susceptible to either, in preference to the plan of 
institutions which are asylums merely. To the plan of asylums 
there is the practical objection that the great expense of providing 
institutions for and maintaining our two thousand defectives of all 
kinds would be a burthen so heavy as to indispose our citizens to the 
undertaking, and would have the effect to retard or indefinitely post- 
pone all adequate efforts for their benefit. There are other objec- 
tions, equally operative, which proceed from less mercenary motives. 
If all who belong to these three classes, without regard to age, should 
be gathered into as many institutions, the great number of those 
who are incapable of advancement would stand in the way of, and 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 15 

would re-act injuriously upon those who are educable, and by their 
influence, combined with the necessarily divided attention of their 
instructors, would drag the improvable down to the level of the 
unimprovable, thus wasting or defeating effort and sacrificing impor- 
tant results. 

A wiser course both on economic and humanitarian grounds, would 
be to require the counties to protect and care for the unimprovable 
defectives, especially of the feeble-minded class, while the State 
gathers into these institutions by a gradual process all those who are 
susceptible to the influences of education and capable of being so 
improved by its agency as to be elevated in the scale of intelligence, 
raised from a condition of hopeless dependence and fitted to become 
useful to society and measurably or tvholly self-supporting. An 
institution of this kind would not be a receptacle for the mere custody 
of a large body of irremediably, unimprovable unfortunates who are 
destined to remain forever unproductive, but would be strictly an 
educational establishment with the object in view of enabling those 
who are its inmates to take care of themselves and become useful and 
productive members of society. A system of institutions established 
on this basis would be a legitimate complement of our system of free 
common schools, and should be as free to the afflicted classes as our 
public schools are to the unafflicted. If such a system were adopted 
its effect would be, in the process of time, to reduce the number of 
those who are hopeless incapables to the lowest possible limit; since 
it will proceed upon the idea that, at the outset, no effort or outlay 
will be expended on those who are found to be past the educable 
ages when melioration is possible, and that sole attention will be con- 
centrated on those who are susceptible to and may be benefitted by 
training, all of whom thereafter, as they reach the educable age, 
that is from eight to ten years of age, will be gathered into the 
several institutions and be fitted, more or less perfectly, to meet the 
responsibilities and perform the duties of citizens and members of 
society. The immediate advantage of this plan would be to reduce 
within practicable limits a burthen which, otherwise, would seem of 
such impossible dimensions as to dishearten all effort. Instead of 
the State being called on to provide for 2,000 unfortunates of all 
ages, it would take steps to extend its bounty to one-third only of 
that number, or those between the educable ages of eight and 
twenty-one. While our people might reasonably be appalled at the 
expenditure required for two thousand defectives, the outlay required 
for six hundred and sixty-six would not exceed their resources or 
exhaust their magnanimity, especially since years would probably 
elapse before that number would find their way into the institutions 
which the liberality of the State may provide. 

In the belief that the act under which the Commission was 
appointed was not a mere form of empty words, or an easy stratagem 
by which a present and imperative duty might be postponed to a 



16 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

"more convenient season," and in the further belief that it was th e 
frank intention of the Legislature to inaugurate substantial and posi- 
tive measures for the relief of the classes of unfortunates named in 
the act, the Commissioners have prosecuted a series of exhaustive 
inquiries relating to institutions adapted to their case. These inquiries 
were addressed to the superintendents of thirty-one institutions for 
the deaf and dumb, the blind and the feeble-minded in the United 
States, all of whom are persons of long experience as instructors, 
and the possessors of large and special knowledge on the subject. 
It is with great pleasure we make the public acknowledgment that 
replies have been received from twenty-seven of the thirty-one thus 
addressed, and that they have evinced their profound sympathy for 
the helpless classes to whose service their lives and talents are 
devoted, as well as their accurate knowledge, their comprehensive 
wisdom, and their consummate and dispassionate benevolence. 
Although we had no claims upon them save such as might be founded 
on feelings of a common humanity, their replies have been prompt, 
cordial, full, disinterested, and regardless of trouble. It has been 
apparent to the Commissioners throughout their extended corres- 
pondence with these gentlemen, that the amelioration of the condition 
of those who are under their charge, and of unfortunates wherever 
they may be found, is a life duty and a labor of love with the body 
of devoted instructors connected with the institutions in the United 
States for the care of defectives. 

One of the first and most important subjects which the Commis- 
sioners deemed it necessary to investigate is embodied in a question 
which they addressed to superintendents and instructors connected 
with institutions for defectives, as follows : " Can the deaf and dumb 
the blind, and the feeble-minded, or any two of them, be advanta- 
geously cared for in one institution ; or do they require to be treated 
separately ?* " To this question twenty-three replies were received 
earnestly advocating that each class should be treated separately ; 
three expressing the conviction that the deaf and dumb, and the 
blind, can be successfully educated together in one properly arranged 
institution ; and one, advancing the opinion that the deaf and dumb, 
and the blind, might possibly be educated together in one institution, 
if their combined number is one hundred and fifty, or less. A fur- 
ther analysis of these replies elicits the fact that all those who have 
charge of institutions for the blind alone, are a unit for separate 
treatment; that of those who are in charge of institutions for the 
deaf and dumb and blind combined, four are positively in favor of 
separate institutions ; two believe they may be under one manage- 
ment with economy and positive advantage to the inmates ; and one 
is of the opinion that they may be treated at less expense and better 
together than separated, each class forming an institution by itself. 

*The series of questions, addressed by the commissioners to superintendents and instructors, on this 
and other particulars, aud the replies to them, are published in full in the Appendix to this report, at page 
2"), note 1. They will be found to contain a large mass of valuable information. 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 17 

Another point to be noted is that all agree that the feeble-minded 
must be treated in a separate institution. 

Another point to which the Commissioners directed their attention, 
was to gather information which would be of practical use to the 
Legislature when determining upon the location for an institution 
or institutions. The Commissioners were of the opinion that if they 
examined or recommended a site or sites they would not only trans- 
cend the authority committed to them, but might incur the suspi- 
cion of having been actuated by interested motives. They deter- 
mined, therefore, to confine their attention exclusively to general 
considerations bearing upon the subject. To this end they addressed 
to heads of institutions the question: " What character of country 
is best adapted for an institution, as relates to the health and well- 
being of the inmates ? Should it be hilly or plain, near a river or 
distant from it, woodland or cleared ? " Of the twenty-seven replies 
to this question, twenty were from superintendents of institutions in 
which the deaf and dumb and the blind are taught, either separately 
or together. Of these five express no preference, and fifteen advise 
a rolling or undulating country, sufficiently elevated for sewerage 
and drainage, near an ample supply of water, on a site cleared and 
exposed to the sun, but near woodland. Seven replies were received 
from heads of institutions for the feeble-minded, one of whom 
expresses no preference, six advise a rolling or hilly country with 
plenty of water, and three of the six advise, in addition, that the 
grounds be part woodland.- 

Another branch of the same inquiry, more specific in its scope, 
was presented in the question : " Should an institution be in the 
country, or adjacent to a village or town ?' 7 The replies from insti- 
tutions for the deaf and dumb and the blind, twenty in number, 
were uniformly to the effect that a large city, or in the immediate 
suburbs of one, if ample grounds could be secured, are best for the 
deaf and dumb, but essential for the blind. The replies from insti- 
tutions for the feeble-minded, seven in number, all agree that these 
should be in the country, but adjacent to a town or city. 

The cost of the grounds and buildings necessary was afso the subject 
of inquiry, This varies with the style of the buildings, the excel- 
lence of their finish and accommodations, and the value of the sites. 
In some of the new, and in the less wealthy States, the buildings 
have been put up in cheap and temporary form; while in the older 
and wealthier ones they are on a more massive and permanent scale, 
of fine and sometimes imposing architectural design, with all their 
appointments adequate to their needs, and according to the most ap- 
proved methods. Thus, the institutions for the blind, including 
buildings, grounds, (consisting in some instances of forty or fifty 
acres,) furniture, and equipments of all kinds, vary in cost from 

*JFor the replies in detail, to this arid the following questions see Appendix, page 2a. 

2 



18 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

$20,000 to $330,000, the average of their cost being a trifle over 
$1,000 per pupil; for the deaf and dumb and blind combined, from 
$40,000 to $205,000, the average cost per pupil being $760 ; for the 
deaf and dumb, from $225,000 to $265,000, the average cost per 
pupil being $817; and for the feeble-minded, from $40,000 to $180,- 
000, the average cost per pupil being $579. It may be safely- 
assumed that a first-class, though plain and substantial institution, 
with suitable grounds, would cost in this State about $1000 per pupil 
respectively, for the deaf and dumb end the blind, and $800 per pupil 
for the feeble-minded. With these data at hand it will be easy to arrive 
at the cost of the institutions required for these unfortunates in New 
Jersey. If the plan pursued be to provide asylums for the care and 
custody of their whole number, without regard to age or capability 
for improvement, the cost of the grounds and buildings would be as 
follows ; for our 500 deaf and dumb $500,000 ; for our 600 blind 
$600,000 ; and for our 1000 feeble-minded $800,000 ; or a total of 
$1,900,000. If, on the other hand, the more desirable and, as the 
Commissioners believe, more effective plan be pursued of providing 
for those only who are within the educable ages, the ultimate cost 
of the several institutions when all the educable defectives shall 
have been gathered into them will be; for the deaf and dumb 
$160,000 ; for the blind $200,000, and for the feeble-minded $240,000 ; 
or a total of $600,000. Of course the cost of each could be reduced 
below the sum3 stated, by reducing the quantity of the grounds 
attached and the quality of the buildings and equipments ; but it 
may be considered a settled fact that, with the exercise of the utmost 
frugality and even parsimony, it will not be possible to provide 
institutions of an inferior grade even, adequate for the care of our 
educable unfortunates for less than $500 per pupil, or a total of 
$350,000. 

Intimately connected with the cost of grounds and buildings is 
the consideration of the annual expenditure required for the main- 
tenance of these institutions. The replies we have received from 
superintendents, and the information contained in the published 
reports of various institutions, reveal that their current annual 
expenses (including repairs, wear of furniture, salaries, servants' 
hire, etc..) vary from $172 to $100 per capita, the average being 
$261 per capita. From these data it further appears that the annual 
expenses per capita are lowest in institutions for the feeble-minded, 
and highest in those for the blind ; the average being $232 per capita 
for the feeble-minded ; $263 for the deaf and dumb, and the deaf 
and dumb and blind combined, and $285 for the blind. It is believed 
from a comparison of all the data before us that, in New Jersey the 
average annual cost would not exceed $250 per capita for first-class 
institutions. 

If, therefore, New Jersey should adopt the plan of providing insti- 
tutions for her defectives within the educable ages, the following 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 19 

would be the annual expenditure required for their maintenance, on 
the basis of $250 per capita, and on the supposition that the whole 
number within those ages immediately availed of the benefit ; for 
167 deaf and dumb, $41,750; for 200 blind, $50,000, and for 333 
feeble-minded, $83,250 ; or a total of $175,000 for 700 defectives, 
being $138,400 more than the State is now paying yearly for the 
care of 121 in the institutions of other States. It is not probable, 
however ; indeed it is in the highest degree improbable, as will here- 
after appear,* that for years to come, and with every effort directed 
to the end, more than one-half of our educable defectives can be 
gathered into our institutions, if provided ; in which event the annual 
cost of their education and maintenance will not exceed $87,500 for 
350 beneficiaries, against $36,600 now expended for 121. 

CONCLUSION. 

The conclusions to which the Commissioners have arrived are as 
follows : 

1. That one or more institutions for the care and education of the 
defective classes in our State are an imperative necessity, whether 
we consider their number, the neglect, degradation and suffering to 
which they are subjected, their deprivation of attainable means of 
advancement in the mental and moral faculties which distinguish 
man from the brute, their helpless dependence, or the public interest. 
In view of what has already been advanced on these points, no fur- 
ther argument is deemed necessary. It only remains to add that 
hitherto the State has been able to avert the reproach of being 
neglectful of these classes by a resort to the expedient of providing 
for a small proportion of our indigent deaf and dumb, blind, and 
feeble-minded, in the institutions of other States. This method, 
humiliating and unsatisfactory at the best, may fail us at any day ; 
since our unfortunates are only received on sufferance in those insti- 
tutions. These are altogether inadequate for their own necessities ; 
and, already, complaint has been made in the Legislature of one of 
the States, whither our children are sent, that they need the room 
for their own unfortunates, who are crowded out by those from our 
State, and that New Jersey ouught to provide institutions for the 
care of her defectives. Although those who are in charge of the 
institutions of other States do not abate anything of their faithful 
and tender care, they also are urgent in their appeals for the removal 
of our children, so as to make room for their own helpless ones who 
are waiting and clamorous for admittance. 

2. That the necessity for these institutions in our State being 
established, it is desirable that the Legislature should speedily inau- 
gurate measures to provide them on an adequate scale. It has been 

*See note 2 of the Appendix to this report, at page 43. 



20 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

shown at page eleven of this report, that the whole number of defec- 
tives in New Jersey, is respectively, 500 deaf and dumb, 600 blind, 
and 1000 feeble-minded. An examination of the statistics of these 
classes* discloses that the proportion, relatively to their whole num- 
ber, who have been gathered into institutions, in all of the States 
which have provided such establishments, is as follows : twenty-live 
per cent, of the deaf and dumb, eleven per cent, of the blind, and 
seven per cent of the feeble-minded, equal in this State to 125 deaf 
and dumb, 66 blind, and 70 feeble-minded. It further appears that 
in some States the per centage is much greater, rising as high as 
sixty per cent, of the deaf and dumb in Connecticut, forty per cent, 
of the blind in Kansas, and thirty-four per cent, of the feeble- 
minded in Connecticut. It is extremely improbable that the per 
centage which could be gathered into institutions in this State would 
equal the maximum above stated ; while, from the compactness of 
our State and its easy facilities for inter-communication, it would 
doubtless be greater than in the United States at large. We assume 
as an approximate estimate, that in New Jersey there are now ready 
and desirous to enter institutions at least 150 deaf and dumb, 100 
blind, and 100 feeble-minded. And, having in view the overpower- 
ing weight of testimony in favor of the separate care and training 
of the three classes, fwe respectfully recommend that on this basis 
steps be taken to provide three separate institutions with suitable 
grounds, the buildings to be so planned as that they may be easily 
enlarged from time to time, as our needs may require. Recurring 
to the data already given at (pages 18, 19 of this report), and at 
pages 34, 35 of the Appendix, as to the cost of grounds and build- 
ings and the annual expense of maintenance, we have the following 
results. A first-class but plain institution for the deaf and dumb, 
capable of accommodating 150 inmates would cost $150,000, and the 
annual expenditure at $250 per capita would be $37,500 ; an institu- 
tion of like character for the blind, capable of accommodating 100 
inmates would cost $100,000, and the annual expenditure would be 
$25,000; and an institution for the feeble-minded, suitable for 100 
inmates would cost $80,000, and the annual expenditure would be 
$25,000 ; or a total for grounds, buildings and equipments of 
$330,000, and for annual expenditure, of $37,500. 

3. That institutions for the deaf and dumb and the blind should 
be in or near a large town or city ; on an elevated site, with ample 
grounds attached, thoroughly exposed to the sunlight, and near an 
abundant supply of water. They should be in or near a large town 
because of the advantages it affords for procuring supplies and 
servants, and as a market for the disposal of the products of the 
industrial department, which is an essential part of the training of 
these establishments; and further, for the reason that as the educa- 

*The statistics bearing on this point will be found in note 2 of the Appendix to this report, at page 43. 
tSee page 16 of this report, and also note 1 of Appendix, at page 25. 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 21 

tion of the blind must come mainly through the avenue of the ear, 
and that of the deaf through the avenue of the eye ; it therefore, 
becomes indispensable that the blind should be where they may 
hear music, lectures, &c, and attend church ; and that the deaf and 
dumb should have frequent opportunities of seeing everything that 
is going on in the world in which they are being trained to do their 
part. To isolate them in the country would be to cut off one of the 
most efficient means for their improvement. Institutions for all 
three classes should be on an elevated site, in order to escape 
malarial influences and ensure perfect drainage and sewerage. They 
should have ample grounds to secure plenty of pure air and for pur- 
poses of recreation. They should be exposed to the sunlight because 
defectives of all classes, especially those who have been so from 
birth, are disposed to scrofulous disorders. They should be near an 
abundant supply of water, for household uses, for bathing, and for 
diversion and exercise. 

4. That these institutions should not be asylums, or receptacles 
for the mere custody of their inmates, nor State alms-houses for the 
" indigent poor " only ; but that they should be schools for the educa- 
tion and training of our defectives for intelligent and self-supporting 
members of society, free to all, whether rich or poor. In this con- 
nection we respectfully invite attention to the act of the State of 
New York, hereto annexed defining the objects of the " New York 
State Institution for the Blind," as the basis of a law which may be 
applied with equal propriety to all the defective classes in this 
State*. 

5. That besides the consideration of humanity, duty, and self- 
interest which have been already briefly adverted to, New Jersey 
owes it to her reputation as an old, a prosperous, and a wealthy 
State, the peer of her sister States, to make adequate provision for 
that large class of her unfortunates whose pitiable condition prompted 
the formation of this Commission. It is impossible to reflect with- 
out humiliation upon the fact that our State falls far behind all the 
States in the Union, save seven, in this duty of a humane and 
enlightened commonwealth.! 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

Yours respectfully, 

CHARLES D. DESHLER, 

JEREMIAH BAKER, 

WILLIAM S. YARD, 

CHARLES D. HENDRICKSON, 

RALPH B. GOUDY. 

*See Appendix to this report, note 3, at page 44. 
tSee Appendix to this report, note 4, page 48. 



APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX 



NOTE ONE. 

OPINIONS OF SUPERINTENDENTS. 

A circular was addressed by the Commissioners to all the superin- 
tendents of institutions in the United States for the care of the deaf 
and dumb, the blind and the feeble-minded, asking their replies to 
the following questions : 

1. Can the deaf and dumb, the blind and the feeble-minded, or 
any of them, be advantageously cared for in one institution, or do 
they require to be treated separately ? 

2. What character of country is best adapted for an institution, 
as relates to the health and well-being of the inmates, hilly or plain, 
near a river or distant from it, woodland or cleared ? 

3. Should an institution be in the country, or adjacent to a village 
or town, or in a village or town ? 

4. What was the cost of construction of your asylum edifice ; and 
how many inmates is it adapted for ? 

5. What is the current annual expense of maintaining your insti- 
tution ? 

6. Do you find the number of either of these classes in your 
State, as given in the census of 1870, to be below the fact ; and if so 
what per centage do you estimate the deficiency to be ? 

7. What is the minimum age at which persons ought to be 
admitted to these institutions. 

To this circular twenty-seven replies have been received which 
are of great interest, and it is believed, embody a greater amount o 
precise and practical information upon these important subjects than 
have before been gathered under one view. These replies are 
arranged under the several questions, and together with the names 
of the superintendents and of the institutions which they have the 
care, are herewith presented for the information of the Legislature. 

REPLIES TO QUESTION ONE. 

" They should by all means be taught in separate buildings. 17 — 
Mr. Otis Patten, Superintendent Arkansas Institution for the Blind, 
Little Rock, Arkansas. 



26 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

" With properly arranged buildings the deaf and dumb, and the 
blind can be kept together under one management with economy and 
with positive advantage. The feeble-minded ought to be kept by 
themselves ; the effect of an idiot is pernicious upon a perfectly 
organized child ; still worse upon a defective." — Warring Wilkinson, 
M. A., Principal of the California Institution for the Deaf and 
Dumb, and the Blind, Oakland, California. 

" Separately." — Mr. H. M. Knight, Superintendent of Connecticut 
School for Imbeciles, Lakeville, Connecticut. 

" Aggregating the three classes into one institution might have 
the advantage of economy, but I think it would be highly disad- 
vantageous to the health, morals, and the proper care of them, or 
their proper training, mental and industrial. I decidedly favor 
separate institutions. There is no compatibility in their association 
together." — W. D. Williams, A. M., Principal of the Georgia Aca- 
demy for the Blind, Macon, Georgia. 

" I would think if there were 150 or 200 of each class it would 
be better to separate them. In my judgment the deaf and dumb, 
and the blind might possibly\>e educated in one institution in your 
State. The blind are so much less numerous than any other of the 
three mentioned, that in your State you may perhaps do well to have 
the one establishment for the deaf and dumb, and the blind." — C. 
T. Wilbur, M. D., Superintendent of Illinois Institution for Feeble- 
Minded Children Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" Each class of unfortunates should be educated in separate insti- 
tutions." — Joshua Rhoads, M. D., Superintendent of Illinois Institu- 
tion for the Education of the Blind, Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" I am very firm in the conviction that no two of the classes 
named can be properly cared for in one institution ; and I think I 
am safe in saying that, with a single exception, all of the educators 
of these classes throughout our country, entertain the same view. 
Admitting that some saving may be effected by uniting two of the 
classes in one school, and such saving cannot be otherwise than quite 
limited, the disadvantages to be encountered in other respects are 
of too serious a nature to be offset by such an argument." — William 
H. Churchman, M. A., Superintendent of Indiana Institute for the 
Education of the Blind, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

11 The blind ought to be educated by themselves, but not separated 
from the seeing to such an extent as to produce segregation. The 
methods, apparatus, and treatment in educating the blind, differ 
from those employed with the other classes. The line of direction 
in their education should tend to make them homogeneous with the 
mass of mankind. An institution for the blind is not an asylum. It 
is established strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended 
to take care of the blind, but to enable the blind to take care of 
themselves." — Mr. John D. Parker, Superintendent of Kansas Insti- 
tution for the Blind, Wyandotte, Kansas. 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 27 

" Separately." — Mr. B. B. Huntoon, Superintendent Kentucky In- 
stitution for the Blind, Louisville, Kentucky. 

" All experience shows they ought to be taught in separate institu- 
tions."- E. H. Black, M. D., Superintendent of Kentucky Institution 
for the Education of Feeble-minded Children and Idiots, Frankfort, 
Kentucky. 

" Any two or all of these classes can be educated in one institu- 
tion and great good result; but the advantage and benefit are 
decidedly in separate institutions. Each class requires a system of 
instruction peculiar to it." — J. A. McWhorter, Esq., Superintendent 
of Louisiana Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana. 

" They require to be treated in separate institutions." — Mr. F. D. 
Morrison, Superintendent of Maryland Institution for the Instruc- 
tion of the Blind, Baltimore, Maryland. 

" 1 am decidedly of the opinion that these three classes should be 
in separate institutions." — Mr. Egbert L. Bangs, Superintendent of 
Michigan Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Flint, Michigan. 

" At less expense and better together than separated — each class 
forming an institution by itself. We are to separate the blind from 
the deaf and dumb next year." — Mr. J. L. Noyes, Superintendent 
Minnesota Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Faribault, Minnesota. 

"To be cared for separately, for obvious reasons." — Mr. H. B. 
Wilbur, Superintendent New York Asylum for Idiots, Syracuse, 
New York. 

" Conventions of principals and superintendents of the deaf and 
dumb have uniformly declared it prejudicial to the best interests of 
each of the above classes to bring any two of them into one institu- 
tion — increases expenses, promotes discord." — Franklin A. Rising, 
M. A., Principal of the Institution for the Improved Instruction of 
Deaf Mutes, New York City. i 

" When the blind shall see, the deaf hear, the dumb speak and 
the idiotic reason, then may they all or any two of them be educated 
and cared for in one institution, and not before. Let each class be 
provided for separately." — Mr. William B. Wait, Superintendent 
New York Institution for the Blind, New York City. 

" No two of the classes can with any propriety be cared for in the 
same institution." — Dr. Asa D Lord, Superintendent New York 
State Institution for the Blind, Batavia, New York. 

" We have both deaf and dumb and blind in our institution ; but 
would prefer separate institutions, or the buildings so constructed as 
to keep them as distinct as possible. The deaf and dumb and the blind 
do not harmonize well together." — Dr. S. F. Tomlinson, Superintend- 
ent North Carolina Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, 
Raleigh, North Carolina. 

" Much better to educate these classes separately." — G. L. Smead, 



28 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

M. A., Superintendent Ohio Institution for the Education of the 
Blind, Columbus, Ohio. 

" They require treatment separately in separate institutions." — 
G. A. Doren, M. D., Superintendent Ohio State Asylum for Imbecile 
and Feeble-minded Youth, Columbus, Ohio. 

" The feeble-minded certainly in a distinct institution.' 7 — Isaac N. 
Kerlin, M. D., Superintendent Pennsylvania Training School for 
Feeble-minded Children, Media, Pennsylvania. 

" My experience teaches me that the deaf and dumb and the blind 
may be successfully educated in the same institution. In small 
States it is certainly a matter of economy. 7 ' — Mr. Newton F. Walker, 
Superintendent South Carolina Institution for the Education of the 
Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, Cedar Spring, South Carolina. 

" Schools for the deaf and the blind have nothing in common, and 
should for no consideration be united under the same roof If in 
educating either of these classes you aim at economy rather than 
moral and intellectual development, put them all in country alms- 
houses. It may be most expensive to have them in small families. 
If the family arrangement is not the best, then mankind started 
wrong and are going wrong still. We adopt the best plan when we 
follow most nearly that which the Creator has pointed out. 77 — Mr. J. 
M. Sturtevant, Superintendent Tennessee Institution for the Blind, 
Nashville, Tennessee. 

" Separate institutions are most advantageous. 77 — Mr. H. H. Hol- 
lister, Superintendent West Virginia Institution for Deaf Mutes and 
Blind, Romney, West Virginia. 

" By no means together. If you have buildings to t^rect have 
some man acquainted with the specialty to prepare plans instead of 
a mere architect. 77 — Mr. Thomas H. Little, Superintendent Wiscon- 
sin Institution for the Education of the Blind. Janesville, Wisconsin. 

REPLIES TO QUESTION TWO. 

u The institution should be situated on a site sufficiently elevated 
to secure rapid drainage and extended outlook, and the constant 
change of atmosphere which wind causes in elevations. 77 — Warring 
Wilkinson, M. A., Principal of the California Institution for the Deaf 
and Dumb and the Blind, Oakland, California. 

" Rolling country in a healthy locality ,*with special reference to 
a constant and abundant supply of pure and soft water. Water 
must be as free as air. 77 — Mr. H. M. Knight, Superintendent Con- 
necticut School for Imbeciles, Lnkcville, Connecticut. 

" A country more or less undulating, wooded somewhat, conven- 
ient to, but not exactly on the banks of a river or some considerable 
body of running water. 77 — W. D. Williams, A. M., Principal of 
Georgia Academy for the Blind, Macon, Georgia. 

" I think it should be near a river and with the buildings elevated, 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 29 

with some land suitable for cultivation. Part woodland and part 
cleared is best adapted for the purposes named. I do not think it 
conducive to health to have the house much shaded by trees. — C. T. 
Wilbur, M. D,, Superintendent Illinois Institution, for Feeble- 
minded Children Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" That which is most free from malaria.'' — Joshua Rhoads, M. D., 
Superintendent Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind, 
Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" I would not attach much importance to the character of the 
country in which an institution might be located, provided the site 
is healthful and has ample facilities for drainage and water supply. 
Yet there are some advantages to be derived from a near proximity 
to a stream or other body of water which would afford facilities for 
summer bathing and boating, the latter to be used as a pleasant 
source of physical exercise." — William H. Churchman, M. A., Super- 
intendent, Indiana Institute for the Education of the Blind, In- 
dianapolis, Indiana. 

" An institution should be located in a gently rolling country, one 
that drains naturally but does not offer obstacles to freedom of move- 
ment, such as free walks, free exercise, <fce. The pur-blind and the 
blind are not insensible to the influences of nature. Nature is the 
best educator. Choose the healthiest and finest situation in your 
State, near woodland and water, and make it a little Paradise on 
earth." — Mr. John D. Parker, Superintendent Kansas Institution 
for the Blind, Wyandotte, Kansas. 

" I do not know." — Mr. B. B. Huntoon, Superintendent Kentucky 
Institution for the Blind, Louisville, Kentucky. 

" It does not matter so we have plenty of water." — E. H. Black, 
M. D., Superintendent Kentucky Institution for the Education of 
Fte >le-minded Children and Idiots, Frankfort, Kentucky. 

" Should be in a place easily accessible from all parts of the State, 
susceptible of good sewerage, with an abundance of good water, 
high enough to be above malarial causes." — J. A. McWhorter, Esq., 
Superintendent Louisiana Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Baton 
Rouge, Louisiana. 

u Institutions for the blind should be elevated and surrounded by 
large grounds fcr exercise." — Mr. F. D. Morrison, Superintendent 
Maryla.id Institution for Instruction of Blind, Baltimore, Maryland. 

" I think moderately elevated, cleared, with woodland near would 
be desirable. A river is an advantage for steam connection to draw 
water from, but a nuisance so far as the children are concerned." — 
Mr. Egbert L. Bana:s, Superintendent Michigan Institution for Deaf 
and Dumb, Flint, Michigan. 

11 An elevated country, partly open and partly wooded, not less 
than fifty acres. An ample supply of good water, and good drainage 
are each essential. Allow me to urge the great importance at the 
commencement of an institution of providing ample grounds, say 



30 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

100 acres well situated for water in abundance and good drainage, 
Have a thorough system of sewerage before erecting the first build- 
ing. This was wisely attended to here, and we have not had a 
death in our family, now numbering 100, since this institution was 
first established, eleven years ago. Do not build over two or three 
stories high. So much up and down stairs is injurious to children, 
and adults too. Look well to ventilation also when you build." — 
Mr. J. L. Noyes, Superintendent Minnesota Institution for Deaf and 
Dumb, Faribault, Minnesota. 

; ' I prefer a country moderately hilly. For idiots not too near a 
river. Woodland in part, desirable." Mr. H. B. Wilbur, Superin- 
tendent New York Asylum for Idiots, Syracuse, New York. 

" Elevated grounds, capable of being easily drained, remote from 
standing water or a sluggish stream, cleared, exposed to the sun — 
the best of physicians. Deaf mutes are generally scrofulous, need 
plenty of pure water for drinking and bathing. Without this, will 
probably be subject to epidemics— especially typhoid fever." — 
Franklin A. Rising, M. A., Principal Institution for Improved In- 
struction of Deaf Mutes, New York City. 

" A location may be either hilly or plain, near or remote from 
water, woodland or cleared, and still be unhealthy. In general, 
elevated ground, remote from all malarious influences, and where a 
most bountiful supply of sweet, soft water can be obtained." — Mr. 
William B. Wait, Superintendent New York Institution for Blind, 
New York City. 

" A site sufficiently elevated to secure thorough drainage is essen- 
tial. Woodland and running water near would be pleasant." — Dr. 
Asa D. Lord, Superintendent New York State Institution for Blind, 
Batavia, New York. 

" Would prefer a hilly, woodland situation." Dr. S. F. TomMn- 
son, Superintendent North Carolina Institution for Deaf and Dumb 
and Blind, Raleigh, North Carolina. 

" Sufficiently hilly to ensure good sewerage and drainage. Better 
be away from all malarial influences." G. L. Smead, M. A., Super- 
intendent Ohio Institution for Education of Blind, Columbus, Ohio. 

u An elevated location, with good cultivable land attached, with 
some woodland for pleasure and recreation of pupils. Near a river, 
if possible." G. A. Doren, M. D., Superintendent Ohio State Asylum 
for Imbecile and Feeble-minded Youth, Columbus, Ohio. 

" Should be gently undulating — proximity of water no disadvan- 
tage. An abundant and inexpensive supply of water of great 
importance' in locating." — Isaac N. Kerlin, M. D., Superintendent 
Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-minded Children, Media, 
Pennsylvania. 

"Our location is in a hilly country, four miles from the county 
seat, and one mile from a railroad. Would not exchange it for any 
other in the State, everything taken into consideration." Mr. New- 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 31 

ton F. Walker, Superintendent South Carolina Institution for Educa- 
tion of Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Cedar Springs, South Carolina. 

" A diversified country where there will always be plenty of run- 
ning water. 7 ' — Mr. J. M. Sturtevant, Superintendent Tennessee 
Institution for Blind, Nashville, Tennessee. 

" A country adapted for any school of learning is equally well 
adapted for an asylum." — Mr. H. H. Hollister, Superintendent West 
Virginia Institution for Deaf Mutes and Blind, Romney, West 
Virginia. 

" Let the location be healthful for other people and it will do well 
for this purpose. I should prefer diversified surface. It is well if 
water for bathing and rowing can be had readily. 7 ' — Mr. Thomas H. 
Little, Superintendent Wisconsin Institution for Education of Blind, 
Janesville, Wisconsin. 

REPLIES TO QUESTION THREE. 

" An institution for the blind should be in a large city,*in order 
that the pupils who intend to make music their vocation may have 
an opportunity of improving themselves by attending concerts and 
listening to first-class performers; and that those learning to tune 
pianos may be able to exercise their vocation. A market will also 
be afforded for the articles manufactured in the institution. I would 
prefer that an institution should be far enough out to secure fresh 
air and plenty of room, say ten acres, yet within walking distance of 
the churches, concert halls, and lecture moms." — Mr. Otis Patten, 
Superintendent Arkansas Institution for Blind, Little Rock, Arkan- 
sas. 

" It should be, if all other conditions can be found, at the railroad 
or line of travel centre of the State, near enough to a city or town 
to enable inmates to attend church, lectures, concerts, etc., and far 
enough to admit of ample grounds, say twenty-five or thirty acres — 
more, if not too costly." — Warring Wilkinson, M. A., Principal 
California Institution for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Oakland, 
California. 

" Out of town, but near one; markets, ease of obtaining servants, 
etc., require it. Frequent visitors are also worth much to an insti- 
tution." — Mr. H. M. Knight, Superintendent Connecticut School for 
Imbeciles, Lakeville, Connecticut. 

11 For the blind a location in a city is best. For the other classes, 
in the country adjacent to a large town or city. The industries of 
these classes must have some local market, vvhich can be had only in 
cities. Again, in cities you have a large number of intelligent, 
public-spirited, benevolent citizens to choose your directors from (an 
important point) ; and local strifes are not so likely to affect your 
asylum as in smaller communities." — W. D. Williams, A. M., Prin- 
cipal of Georgia Academy for Blind,. Macon, Georgia. 



32 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

11 An asylum for the blind shouldbe in a town with paved streets, 
so that pupils may promenade and hear musical entertainments." — 
Joshua Rhoads, M. D., Superintendent Illinois institute, for educa- 
tion of Blind, Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" 1 think an asylum should be adjacent to a village or town, and 
not by any means in either. It is claimed that the blind should be 
educated in town. That may be true." — C. T. Wilbur, M. D., Super- 
intendent Illinois Institute for Feeble-minded Children, Jackson- 
ville, Illinois. 

" An institution for the blind should undoubtedly be in the suburbs 
of a town of sufficient size to afford Church privileges to persons of 
all the leading denominations, as well as an opportunity to atten d 
public lectures and concerts. It also needs a market for the produc- 
tions of its manufacturing department, which can best be found in a 
large town or city." — William H. Churchman, M. A., Superintendent 
Indiana Institute, for Education of Blind, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

" An institution should be adjacent to a large town, on account of 
its advantages, such as lectures, concerts, etc., but made easily 
accessible by wide, easy-graded walks. Such a location affords 
room for ample grounds, which should contain at least forty acres. 
Great care should be exercised in selecting a plan for the buildings, 
which ought to be constructed with special reference to educating 
the blind. The buildings should be heated with steam, as hot air 
furnaces will not heat them in cold, windy days. It makes a Super- 
intendent's heart sad who loves his work, to see his blind pupils 
exposed on such occasions to the mercy of the elements." — Mr. John 
D. Parker, Superintendent Kansas Institute for Blind, Wyandotte, 
Kansas. 

" Adjacent to a village or town." — Mr. B. B. Huntoon, Superin- 
tendent Kentucky Institute for Blind, Louisville, Kentucky. 

" Better have it near a town. Would prefer the country to a city 
if you can have railroad facilities." — E. H. Black, M. D., Superin- 
tendent Kentucky Institute for Education of Feeble-minded Children 
and Idiots, Frankfort, Kentucky. 

" Adjacent to a large town ; better in it than more than one mile 
distant. Best in the suburbs, with not less than twenty acres of 
ground." — A. McWhorter, Esq., Superintendent Louisiana Institute 
for Deaf and Dumb, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

" Should be in or near a large town or city for the blind." — Mr. 
F. D. Morrison, Superintendent Maryland Institute, for Blind, Bal- 
timore, Maryland. 

" Adjacent to a large town, so as to combine the advantages of 
country life with city privileges." — Mr. Egbert L. Bangs, Superin- 
tendent Michigxn las fitate for Deaf and Dumb, Flint, Michigan. 

" In the country or suburbs of a large town or city the mo3t 
desirable. The blind should be near a large city." — Mr. J. L. 
Noyes, Superintendent Minnesota Institute for Daaf and Dumb, 
Faribault, Minnesota. 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 33 

"Adjacent to a village or town ; near enough for purchase of sup- 
plies and convenience of those employed. 7 ' — Mr. H. B. Wilbur, Su- 
perintendent New York Asylum for Idiots, Syracuse, New York. 

" Much to be said in favor of each. In a town or near one the 
graduates are more likely to obtain situations and earn a livelihood, 
teachers are more easily retained. The hearty interest of the towns- 
people stimulates both teachers and pupils. Ample, grounds in a 
town I believe to be the most advantageous. 7 ' — Franklin A. Rising, 
M. A., Principal of Institution for Improved Instruction of Deaf 
Mutes, New York City. 

"An asylum may, perhaps should be, in the country ; but a school 
for the education of the blind should be in a large city, and should 
in no sense be an asylum or infirmary. 77 — Mr. William B. Wait, Su- 
perintendent New York Institution for Blind, New York City. 

" Should be near a town of some size. 77 — Dr. Asa D. Lord, Super- 
intendent New York State Institution for Blind, Batavia, New York. 

" Near a village. 77 — Dr. §. F. Tomlinson, Superintendent North 
Carolina Institution for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Raleigh, North 
Carolina. 

" An asylum for the blind should be in or near a large town or 
city to ensure church and musical privileges. Also, for convenience 
of transportation. 77 — GL L. Smead, M. A., Superintendent Ohio In- 
stitution for Education of Blind, Columbus, Ohio. 

" The asylum should be located near (say within two miles) of a 
town of fair size, for the amusement of the inmates and for the bene- 
fit of its markets, procuring assistance, etc. 77 — G. A. Doren, M. D., 
Superintendent Ohio State Asylum for Imbecile and Feeble-minded 
Youth, Columbus, Ohio. 

" In the country, adjacent to a town, say one mile distant. Good 
agricultural land should be chosen. 77 — Isaac N. Kerlin, M. D., Super- 
intendent Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-minded, Media, 
Pennsylvania. 

" For the deaf mute the country ; for the blind within easy access 
of a city; for the imbecile in the country. 77 — Mr. J. M. Sturtevant, 
Superintendent Tennessee Institution, for the Blind, Nashville, Ten- 
nessee. 

"Adjacent to a town. 77 — Mr. H. H. Hollister, Superintendent West 
Virginia Institution for Deaf Mutes and Blind, Romney, West Vir- 
ginia. 

"A fchool for the blind ought to be where they can have the very 
best opportunity to hear first class music often. This will require 
you to select a large city, and will much influence the choice of loca- 
tion in the city itself, so that too much difficulty in getting to and 
from concerts, etc., may be avoided. If it be designed to have a 
manufacturing department, this will require the commercial facilities 
of a city. As to the deaf and dumb they should have the best op- 

3 



34 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

portunities for seeing everything that goes on, since their education 
comes altogether by the eye. Hence, they should be in the city. As 
to the feeble-minded, I am of the impression (and I have given con- 
siderable attention to such institutions) that they need more land 
(for seclusion and for industry) than can be commanded in or near 
a great city." — Mr. Thomas H. Little, Superintendent Wisconsin 
Institution for Blind, Janesville, Wisconsin. 

REPLIES TO QUESTION FOUR. 

" Our main edifice is not yet erected. It will probably not cost 
less than $100,000. We have temporary accommodations for about 
lorty pupils.' 7 — Mr. Otis Fatten, Superintendent of Arkansas Institu- 
tion for Blind, Little Rock, Arkansas. 

" Total cost of grounds, buildings, shops, heating apparatus, furni- 
ture, etc., $205,000. The building alone, $150,000. Capacity for 
one hundred and fifty pupils." — Warring Wilkinson, M. A., Principal 
California Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Oakland, California. 

" Forty thousand dollars. One hundred pupils."— Mr. H. M. 
Knight, Superintendent Connecticut School for Imbeciles, Lakeville, 
Connecticut. 

" Fifty thousand dollars, and adapted for eighty inmates. Our 
institution is purely a training institution ; our inmates are received 
and discharged as pupils of a school." — W. D. Williams, A. M. 
Principal Georgia Academy for Blind, Macon, Georgia. 

" This institution is upon rented property and has never yet built 
permanent buildings. We now have eighty-three pupils, but have 
spent only about $12,000 for cheap frame structures for temporary 
purposes." — C. T. Wilbur, M. D., Superintendent of Illinois Institu- 
tion for Feeble-minded Children, Jacksonville, Illinois. 

"The institution was burned in 1869. An institution for one 
hundred pupils should cost about $150,000." — Joshua Rhoads, M. D. T 
Superintendent of Illinois Institution for Education of Blind, Jack- 
sonville, Illinois. 

" The cost of our buildings, including work-shop, stable, boiler- 
house, etc., together with improved fixtures for steam heating, etc., 
was about $125,000. We accommodate one hundred pupils. A 
plainer building might, however, be put up for a less sum." — William 
H. Churchman, M. A., Superintendent of Indiana Institution for 
Education of Blind, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

" Our present buildings will accommodate forty pupils, and cost 
about $20,000." — Mr. John D. Parker, Superintendent of Kansas 
Institution for Blind, Wyandotte, Kansas. 

" Fifty thousand dollars, adapted for one hundred inmates." — Mr. 
B. B. Huntoon, Superintendent of Kentucky Institution for Blind, 
Louisville, Kentucky. 

" About $100,000, including fifty acres of land. Capacity of build- 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 35 

ing for about one hundred pupils." — E. H. Black, M. D., Superin- 
tendent of Kentucky Institution for Education of Feeble-minded 
Children and Idiots, Frankfort, Kentucky. 

" Two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, adapted for about 
three hundred pupils. 7 ' — J. A. McWhorter, Esq., Superintendent of 
Louisiana Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

" One hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Will accommodate 
from ninety to one hundred pupils." — Mr. F. D. Morrison, Superin- 
tendent of Maryland Institution for Instruction of Blind, Baltimore, 
Maryland. 

"Cost $265,000, for three hundred inmates."— Mr. Egbert L. 
Bangs, Superintendent of Michigan Institution for Deaf and Dumb, 
Flint, Michigan. 

" Two hundred thousand dollars when finished, and designed to 
accommodate from two hundred to two hundred and fifty pupils." — 
Mr. J. L. Noyes, Superintendent of Minnesota Institution for Deaf 
and Dumb, Faribault, Minnesota. 

u One hundred and twenty-nine thousand dollars, adapted for two 
hundred and fifty-five pupils. At present prices 1 should estimate 
$175,000 to $200,000 for two hundred and fifty pupils."— Mr. H. B. 
Wilbur, Superintendent of New York Asylum for Idiots, Syracuse, 
New York. 

" Many changes and repairs make it difficult to say what the cost 
has been. We can accommodate about two hundred pupils. The 
cost of a building to be used for a school for the blind, properly 
constructed and arranged, will range from $1,000 to $1,500 for each 
one accommodated." — Mr. William B. Wait, Superintendent of New 
York Institution for Blind, New York City. 

" Our building cost $200,000. It was expected to accommodate 
one hundred and fifty pupils with the necessary officers and teachers." 
— Dr. Asa D. Lord, Superintendent of New York State Institution 
for Blind, Batavia, New York. 

" About $50,000 will accommodate about one hundred and fifty." — 
Dr. S. F. Tomlinson, North Carolina Institution for Deaf and Dumb, 
Raleigh, North Carolina. 

" When finished, our new house will cost $330,000, and is intended 
to accommodate three hundred pupils." — G. L. Smead, M. A., Super- 
intendent Ohio Institution for Education of Blind, Columbus, Ohio. 

11 One hundred and sixty thousand dollars for construction. Num- 
ber of inmates three hundred and fifty. The cost of construction 
includes hospital, laundry, engine and boiler houses." — G. A. Doren, 
M. D., Superintendent Ohio State Asylum for Imbecile and Feeble- 
minded Youth, Columbus, Ohio. 

" The total construction account $180,000. Capacity, two hundred 
and twenty-five inmates." — Isaac N. Kerlin, M. D., Superintendent 
Fennsylvania Training School for Feeble-minded Children, Media, 
Pennsylvania. 



36 KEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

" About thirty to thirty-five thousand dollars. Accommodates 
from sixty-five to seventy pupils and the necessary quarters for 
officers. 77 — Mr. Newton F. Walker, Superintendent South Carolina 
Institution for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Cedar Spring, South 
Carolina. 

" Cost of building and grounds about $1,200 per pupil."— Mr. J. 
M. Sturtevant, Superintendent Tennessee Institution, for Blind, 
Nashville, Tennessee. 

11 Cost, $40,000. Capacity, seventy deaf mutes and thirty blind.' 7 — 
Mr. H. H. Hollister, Superintendent West Virginia Institution for 
Deaf Mutes and Blind, Romner, West Virginia. 

" The cost of the buildings, with necessary arrangements for 
warming, lighting, plumbing, etc., was about $160,000. It will 
accommodate one hundred. 77 — Mr. Thomas H. Little, Superintendent 
Wisconsin Institution for Blind, Janesville, Wisconsin. 

EEPLIES TO QUESTION FIVE. 

" About $16,000, including salaries, (about $400 per pupil). 77 — Mr. 
Ottis Patten, Superintendent Arkansas Institution for Blind, Little 
Rock, Arkansas. 

" From $30,000 to $35,000. 77 — Warring Wilkinson, M. A., Princi- 
pal California Institution for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Oakland, 
California. 

" Two hundred and fifty dollars per pupil. 77 — Mr. H. M. Knight- 
Superintendent Connecticut School for Imbeciles, Lakeville, Con, 
necticut. 

" With a household, including teachers, pupils and servants, num- 
bering from fifty to fifty-five, and covering all expenditures, $11,000, 
(about $220 per capita)*! 77 — W. D. Williams, A. M., Principal Georgia 
Academy for Blind, Macon, Georgia. 

" As we have built our frame buildings out of our ordinary expense 
money, except an appropriation of $3,000 for buildings, our entire 
expense, per capita, is about $300 per annum. This includes repairs, 
buildings, etc., each year. With an institution of proper size, the 
simple ordinary expenses in your State should not be over $200 per 
capita, for idiots. 77 — C. T. Wilbur, M. D., Superintendent Illinois 
Institution for Feeble-minded Children, Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" Seventy pupils, $20,000 per annum. 77 (About $300 per capita). 
Joshua Rhoads, M. D., Superintendent Illinois Institute for Blind, 
Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" The current expenses of our institution are from $28,000 to 
$30,000, including everything but construction account extraor- 
dinary. 77 (About $270 per capita). — William H. Churchman, M. A., 
Superintendent of the Indiana Institute for Blind, Indianapolis, 
Indiana. 

" The current expenses of our institution have been about $80,00 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 37 

par annum. " — Mr. John D. Parker, Superintendent Kansas Institute, 
for Blind, Wyandotte, Kansas. 

"Fifteen thousand dollars.'' — Mr. B. B. Huntoon, Superintendent 
Kentucky Institute for Blind, Louisville, Kentucky. 

" About $210 per capita. This includes salaries, etc. 7 ' — E. H. 
Black, M. D., Superintendent Kentucky Institute for Feeble-Minded 
and Idiots, Frankfort, Kentucky. 

"About $20,000 for fifty pupils." ($40(1 pe r capita).— J. A. 
McWhorter, Esq., Superintendent Louisiana Institute for Deaf and 
Dumb, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

" About $15,000 per year." — Mr. F. D. Morrison, Superintendent 
Maryland Institute for Blind, Baltimore, Maryland. 

" About $37,500 per year." — Mr. Egbert L. Bangs, Superintendent 
Michigan Institute, for Deaf and Dumb, Flint, Michigan. 

"From $20,000 to $25,000 per year." — Mr. J. L. Noyes, Superin- 
tendent Minnesota Institute for Deaf and Dumb, Faribault, Min- 
nesota. 

" $210 per pupil, including salaries, ordinary repairs to building, 
and wear of furniture." — Mr. H. B. Wilbur, Superintendent New 
York Asylum for Idiots, Syracuse, New York. 

" From $50,000 to $55,000."— Mr. William B. Wait, Superin- 
tendent New York Institute, for Blind, New York City. 

" We have over 150 pupils in attendance. Annual expenses of 
maintenance about $10,000." (About $266 per capita). — Dr. Asa 
D. Lord, Superintendent New York State Institute for Blind, 
Batavia, New York. 

" From $30,000 to $35,000, or an average cost of about $250 for 
each pupil. This includes salaries of teachers, servants' hire, tuition, 
etc." — Dr. S. F. Tomlinson, Superintendent North Carolina Institute 
for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Raleigh, North Carolina. 

" For all purposes, including salaries and maintenance last year, 
$29,225. Subtracting salaries $21,545.15." (About $261 per capita.) 
— G-. L. Smead, M. A., Superintendent Ohio Institute for Blind, 
Columbus, Ohio. 

11 Our current expenses this year, including salaries and repairs, 
will be about $60,000." (About $172 per capita).— G. A. Doren, 
M. D., Superintendent Ohio State Asylum for Imbeciles, Columbus, 
Ohio. 

" For 1872 it was $45,544.97. Per capita cost of each inmate, 
exclusive of clothing, $234.25." — Isaac N. Kerlin, M. D., Superin- 
tendent Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-Minded, Media, 
Pennsylvania. 

" From $225 to $250 per pupil." — Mr. Newton F. Walker, Superin- 
tendent South Carolina Institute for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, 
Cedar Springs, South Carolina. 

" About $300 per pupil without reckoning interest on capital 
invested in buildings, grounds, apparatus, and furniture." — Mr. J, 



38 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

M. Sturtevant, Superintendent Tennessee Institute for Blind, Nash- 
ville, Tennessee. 

" About $250 for each pupil. 77 — Mr. H. H. Hollister, Superintend- 
ent West Virginia Institute for Deaf Mutes and Blind, Romnej, 
West Virginia. 

» $20,500."— Mr. Thomas H. Little, Superintendent Wisconsin 
Institute for Blind, Janesville, Wisconsin. 

REPLIES TO QUESTION SIX. 

" I think the number of totally blind reported in the census is not 
far from the truth. But there is probably one-half as many partially 
blind persons who have not been reported." — Mr. Otis Patten, 
Superintendent Arkansas Institute for Blind, Little Rock, Arkansas. 

" Yes, about twenty-five per cent. 77 — Warring Wilkinson, M. A., 
Principal California Institute for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Oak- 
land, California. 

" The deficiency is about fifty per cent. You will find that you 
have as many idiotic, imbecile, and feeble-minded, as you have 
insane. 7 ' — Mr. H. M. Knight, Superintendent Connecticut School for 
Imbeciles, Lakeville, Connecticut. 

" Census reports are not very reliable as to the class of blind I 
have to deal with. We receive none but youths, and include among 
the blind all who cannot, for lack of vision, be educated in other 
schools. The pur-blind are rarely noted in census reports. The 
census of 1870 is below the fact about ten per cent, in the case of 
the deaf and dumb, fifteen per cent, in the case of the blind, and 
twenty-five per cent, in the case of the feeble-minded, in Georgia." 
— W. D. Williams, A. M., Principal of Georgia Academy for Blind, 
Macon, Georgia. 

" The number in the census much below the fact, at least fifty per 
cent. 77 — Joshua Rhodes, M. D., Superintendent Illinois Institution for 
Blind, Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" Much below. The census of 1 870 gives Illinois one thousand 
two hundred and forty-four idiotic persons. I have a book contain- 
ing the names of about two thousand, and there are more. Many of 
those reported deaf and dumb are idiotic, being considered deaf and 
dumb because they cannot talk. 1 think there are more than a hun- 
dred per cent, more idiotic persons in this State than are mentioned 
by the census of 1870. 77 — C. T. Wilbur, M. D., Superintendent Illinois 
Institution for Feeble-minded, Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" We estimate that there are about twenty-five per cent, more 
blind persons in our State than are reported in the United States 
census. 77 — William H. Churchman, M. A., Superintendent Indiana 
Institution for Blind, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

" I think the number of blind given in the census of 1870, for our 
State is considerably below the fact, but cannot give the percentage 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 39 

at present." — Mr. John D. Parker, Superintendent Kansas Institution 
for Blind, Wyandotte, Kansas. 

" No exact information." — Mr. B. B. Huntoon, Superintendent of 
Kentucky Institution for Blind, Louisville, Kentucky. 

" I am satisfied the number reported in census of 1870 is too low 
by twenty-five per cent."— E. H. Black, M. D., Superintendent of 
Kentucky Institution for Feeble-minded, etc., Frankfort, Kentucky. 

" Certainly below. Not one-half in Louisiana were enumerated. 
In one-half the parishes not a case was enumerated. Of those coming 
to the institution since 1870 there were not enumerated, in 1871, 
seven out of eleven ; in 1872, nine out of twelve ; in 1873, fourteen 
out of sixteen — thirty out of thirty-nine. I carefully examined the 
returns of 1870 in the United States Marshall's office, New Orleans, 
for the whole State, so that I know positively whereof 1 affirm." — 
J. A. McWhorter, Esq., Superintendent Louisiana Institution for 
Deaf and Dumb, Baton Rou^e, Louisiana. 

" Have not examined for any except the blind. Should say almost 
twenty per cent, below the actual number." — Mr. F. D. Morrison, 
Superintendent Maryland Institution for Blind, Baltimore, Maryland. 

" Much below. From one-third to one-half." — Mr. J. L. Noyes, 
Superintendent Minnesota Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Faribault, 
Minnesota. 

" My opinion is that not more than one-half are found in the cen- 
sus of 1870."— Mr. H. B. Wilbur, Superintendent New York Asy- 
lum for Idiots, Syracuse, New York. 

" 1 do. Statistics in Europe give one deaf mute to 1,570 of popu- 
lation. Special investigations in Massachusetts and New York give 
one to 1,800. The census of 1870 is defective about twenty per 
cent. In New Jersey the census gives 277, actual number not less 
than 500; one-third, of school age give number, say 160 now. The 
number is increasing." — Franklin H. Rising, M. A., Principal Insti- 
tution for Improved Instruction of Deaf Mutes, New York City. 

"The census of 1870 is quite as good as any." — Mr. William B. 
Wait, Superintendent New York Institution for Blind, New York 
City. 

" I have not examined the census in detail." — Dr. Asa D. Lord, 
Superintendent New York State Institution for Blind, Batavia, New 
York. 

11 Have not examined the subject sufficiently to give a correct opin- 
ion." — Dr. S. F. Tomlinson, Superintendent North Carolina Institu- 
tion for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Raleigb, North Carolina. 

" Our census reports are not printed yet, so are inaccessible to me. 
But I presume they will be below the fact, as that has been so 
previously." — G. L. Smead, M. A., Superintendent Ohio Institution 
for Blind, Columbus, Ohio. 

" The number reported by the census is about 33 J per cent less 
than the actual fact." — G. A. Doren, M. D., Superintendent Ohio 
State Asylum for Imbeciles, Columbus, Ohio. 



40 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

"The census is below the fact I believe. One imbecile child to 
one thousand population is a reasonable calculation." — Isaac N. 
Kerlin, M. D., Superintendent Pennsylvania Training School for 
Feeble-minded, Media, Pennsylvania. 

" The census of 1870 for this State is entirely too inaccurate for 
any practical calculation." — Mr. Newton F. Walker, Superintendent 
South Carolina Institution for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, Cedar 
Spring, South Carolina. 

" At least ten per cent, below the fact, while there is some reason 
to believe that an accurate census would show an increase of thirty 
per cent." — Mr. J. M. Sturtevant, Superintendent Tennessee Institu- 
tion for Blind, Nashville, Tennessee. 

" More than twenty-five per cent, below the fact." — Mr. H. H. 
Hollister, Superintendent West Virginia Institution for Deaf Mutes 
and Blind, Romney, West Virginia. 

" The number of the blind is understated. I cannot give a per- 
centage at this distance from home. [Mr. Little's letter was for- 
warded from London, England]. 1 may say that, for school purposes, 
I count every one blind who cannot see to go to school. As this 
includes many who have considerable vision, quite useful for going 
about, it would be impossible to get a correct enumeration which 
will include all who may need an institution for the blind. How- 
ever, I think the number in the census too small for the strictly 
blind, since I know of persons whose names do not appear on the 
papers." — Mr. Thomas H. Little, Superintendent Wisconsin Institu- 
tion for Blind, Janesville, Wisconsin. 

REPLIES TO QUESTION SEVEN. 

If blind children have a good home and anything like judicious 
home-training, they had better not enter school till they are ten 
years old. Otherwise, the sooner they come, the better." — Mr. Otis 
Patten, Superintendent Arkansas Institution for Blind, Little Rock r 
Arkansas. 

"For deaf and dumb, eight years; for blind, ten years."— Warring 
Wilkinson, M. A., Principal California Institution for Deaf and 
Dumb and Blind, Oakland, California. 

" Five years." — Mr. H. M. Knight, Superintendent Connecticut 
School for Imbeciles, Lakeville, Connecticut. 

" This depends on the attention and care they have at home. Eight 
years is low enough for children who have proper care at home." — 
W. D. Williams, A. M., •Principal of Georgia Academy for Blind, 
Macon, Georgia. 

" Idiots should not be taken at much less than seven years of 
age." — C. T. Wilbur, M. D., Superintendent Illinois Institution for 
Feeble-minded, Jacksonville, Illinois. 

" Ten years." — Joshua Rhoads, M. D., Superintendent Illinois In- 
stitution for Blind, Jacksonville, Illinois. 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 41 

" We consider ten years to be the minimum age at which children 
should be sent to an institution for the blind, if they are advantage- 
ously situated at their homes. But it sometimes happens that they 
are destitute of proper homes and associations. In such case, we 
receive them as young as nine or even eight years. Our maximum 
age is twenty-one, except in special cases, where persons of unexcep- 
tionable moral character wish to enter for the purpose of learning 
some manual occupation." — William H. Churchman, M. A., Superin- 
tendent Indiana Institution for the Blind, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

" Blind children ought not to be admitted as pupils, except in special 
cases, below nine years of age. Let them be cared for at home, and 
sent with seeing children to the public schools, where they can be 
taught orally everything except reading and writing. It is impossi- 
ble to take proper care of pupils in an institution without a special 
nurse, who are too young to perform their own toilet.' 7 — Mr. John 
D. Parker, Superintendent Kansas Institution for Blind, Wyandotte, 
Kansas. 

" Our regulations say six. No age can be fixed, for some children 
at four are as forward as others at seven, and it is often necessary 
to take children away from bad surroundings.' 7 — Mr. B. B. Huntoon, 
Superintendent Kentucky Institute for Blind, Louisville, Kentucky. 

" In my opinion eight years, except in extreme cases. We have 
them in our school at six years of age." — E. EL Black, M. D. ? 
Superintendent Kentucky Institute for Feeble-Minded, Frankfort. 
Kentucky. 

" It varies with the capacity and maturity of the children. I should 
adopt, as a rule, eight years of age, but advise parents to bring 
their children at ten years generally." — J. A. McWhorter, Esq., 
Superintendent Louisiana Institute for Deaf and Dumb, Baton 
Rouge, Louisiana. 

" The blind should be admitted at about eight years of age. 7 ' — 
Mr. F. D. Morrison, Superintendent Maryland Institute for Blind, 
Baltimore, Maryland. 

" I like ten years. We adopt that. 7 ' — Mr. Egbert L. Bangs, 
Superintendent Michigan Institute for Deaf and Dumb, Flint, 
Michigan. 

" Eight or ten years is the best age for the blind, or the deaf and 
dumb. 1 could not say in regard to the others. Health must be 
considered." — Mr. J. L. Noyes, Superintendent Minnesota Institute 
for Deaf and Dumb, Faribault, Minnesota. 

" Eleven years old." — Mr. H. B. Wilbur, Superintendent New 
York Asylum, for Idiots, Syracuse, New York. 

" Six years for mutes." — Franklin A. Kising. M. A., Principal 
Institute for Deaf Mutes, New York City. 

" Eight years into a school ; at any age into an asylum." — Mr. 
William B. Wait, Superintendent New York Institute for Blind, 
New York City. 



42 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

" We admit pupils at nine years. In most cases they had better 
not enter until they are ten. I would say for blind children from 
nine to twelve.' 7 — Dr. Asa D. Lord, Superintendent New York State 
Institute for Blind, Batavia, New York. 

" Not under eight years, as a rule." — Dr. S. F. Tomlinson, 
Superintendent North Carolina Institute for Deaf and Dumb and 
Blind, Raleigh, North Carolina. 

" Eight or ten years, if the child has a good home. If no home, 
or a very poor one, at the discretion of the superintendent." — G. L. 
Smead, M. A., Superintendent Ohio Institute for Blind, Columbus, 
Ohio. 

" Six years for institutions of this character." — O. A. Doren, M. 
D., Superintendent Ohio State Asylum for Imbeciles, Columbus, 
Ohio. 

" Ten years, unless home care is impossible, imperfect, or perni- 
cious. A good home, and an intelligent, unencumbered mother, are 
the best conditions for the early advancement of a feeble-minded 
child ; and to aid its home-training and prepare it for ultimate 
removal to the institution, when desired, the parent is recommended 
to visit our school. Special arrangements can be made for receiving 
and boarding a mother or guardian, and child, for a few days or a 
week, to facilitate this object." — Isaac N. Kerlin, M. D., Superin- 
tendent Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-Minded, Media, 
Pennsylvania. 

" We do not receive pupils under ten years of age." — Mr. Newton 
F. Walker, Superintendent South Carolina Institute for Deaf and 
Dumb, and Blind, Cedar Spring, South Carolina. 

" Deaf and blind, eight and nine. The age of admission must 
vary, however, according to circumstances. The imbecile can never 
learn as much as the blind or deaf, and as far as 1 have observed, 
they usually make little or no improvement after reaching the age 
of puberty ; but taken prior to that time the improvement under 
proper training is wonderful." — Mr. J. M. Sturtevant, Superintendent 
Tennessee Institute for Blind, Nashville, Tennessee. 

" Eight years." — Mr. H. H. Hollister, Superintendent West Vir- 
ginia Institute, for Deaf Mutes and Blind, Romney, West Virginia. 

" We take them (rarely) at eight. This is too young if the home 
be tolerable, or if you do not allow the child to remain a long time. 
It is useless to send a young blind person out into the world to take 
care of himself. I would say ten, and expect the child to stay (as a 
rule) until about twenty one. Twelve is a good age, but you ask 
for the minimum age." — Mr. Thomas H. Little, Superintendent 
Wisconsin Institute for Blind, Janesviile, Wisconsin. 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLEMINDED. 43 



NOTE TWO. 

PROPORTION OP DEFECTIVES IN THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE CARED 
FOR, RELATIVELY TO THEIR WHOLE NUMBER. 

According to the United States census of 1870, there are in the 
United States twenty-six institutions for the deaf and dumb, with 
3,061 inmates ; nineteen for the blind, with 1,433 inmates; seven for 
the deaf and dumb and blind combined, with 657 inmates ; and 
seven for the feeble-minded, with 686 inmates; a total of fifty-nine 
institutions and 5,837 inmates. In the States where these institutions 
are located there are, by the same authority, 12,178 deaf and dumb 
persons, 14,725 who are blind, 4,591 of the deaf and dumb and blind 
combined, and 10,578 feeble-minded, or a total of 42,072 ; showing 
that only fourteen per cent, of the whole number of these defectives 
are cared for in institutions. From the same authority it would 
further appear that about twenty-five per cent, of the deaf and dumb 
are cared for, eleven per cent, of the blind, fifteen per cent, of the 
deaf and dumb and blind combined, and seven per cent, of the feeble- 
minded. 

The proportion of the defectives in each of these classes who are 
cared for in institutions in the several States is an interesting and 
suggestive study, and is illustrated by the following table: 

TABLE SHOWING PROPORTION IN INSTITUTIONS. 



NAME OF STATES. 


Percentage of Deaf 
and Dumb, cared 
for in institu- 
tions. (About). 


Percen'ge of Blind, 
cared tor in insti- 
tutions. (About). 


Percentage of Deaf 
and Dumb, and 
Blind, combined, 
cared for in insti- 
tutions. (About). 


Percentage of Fee- 
ble-minded, 
cared tor in insti- 
tutions. (About). 








6 per cent. 






10 per cent. 


10 per cent. 






13 per cent. 






60 per cent. 
55 per cent. 
13 per cent. 
52 percent. 
31 per cent. 
17 per cent. 
42 per cent. 
11 percent. 
22 per cent. 
21 per cent. 
13 per cent. 




34 per cent. 








Georgia 


10 per cent. 

7 per cent. 
10 per cent. 
22 per cent. 
40 per cent. 

7 per cent. 

5 per cent. 
10 per cent. 
20 per cent. 








5 per cent. 






















7 per cent. 
















11 percent. 




18 per cent. 
33 per cent. 














5 per cent. 
15 per cent. 






17 per cent. 
20 per cent. 
34 per cent. 














10 per cent. 




4 per cent. 




123£ per cent. 


Ohio 


20 per cent. 
18 per cent. 


734 per cent. 
1032 per cent. 


7 per cent. 

8 per cent. 




... 




4 per cent. 




18 per cent. 
1234 per cent. 


5 per cent. 
5 per cent. 




Texas 








834 per cent. 




Wisconsin 


26 per cent. 


12^2 per cent. 





44 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON TEIE 



NOTE THREE. 

ACT DEFINING OBJECTS OF THE NEW YORK STATE INSTITUTION FOR 

THE BLIND. 

Section 1. All blind persons of suitable age .and capacity for 
instruction, who are legal residents of the State, shall be entitled to 
the privileges of the New York State Institution for the Blind, with- 
out charge and for such a period of time in each individual case as 
may be deemed expedient by the board of trustees of said institution ; 
provided, that whenever more persons apply for admission at one 
time than can be properly accommodated in the institution, the 
trustees shall so apportion the number received, that each county 
may be represented in the ratio of its blind population to the total 
blind population of the State ; and provided further, that the children 
of citizens who died in the United States service, or from wounds 
received therein during the late rebellion, snail take precedence over 
all others, 

2. Blind persons from without the State may be received into the 
institution upon the payment of an adequate sum, fixed by the trus- 
tees, for their boarding and instruction ; provided that such applicant 
shall in no case exclude those from the State of New York. 

3. Applications for admission into the institution shall be made to 
the board of trustees, in such manner as they may direct ; but the 
board shall require each application to be accompanied by a certifi- 
cate from the county judge, or county clerk of the county, or the 
supervisor or town clerk of the town, or the mayor of the city where 
the applicant resides, setting forth that the applicant is a legal 
resident of the town, county and State claimed as his or her resi- 
dence. 

4. The primary object of the institution shall be to furnish to the 
blind children of the State the best known facilities for acquiring a 
thorough education, and train them in some useful profession or 
manual art by means of which they may be enabled to contribute to 
their own support after leaving the institution ; but it may likewise, 
through its industrial department, provide such of them with appro- 
priate employment and boarding accommodations as find themselves 
unable, after completing their course of instruction and training, to 
procure these elsewhere for themselves. It shall, however, be in no 
sense an asylum for those who are helpless from age, infirmity, or 
otherwise, or a hospital for the treatment of blindness. 

5. Upon the expiration of the term of office of the present board 
of trustees, the Governor shall, by and with the consent of the Sen- 
ate, appoint their successors, two of whom shall reside in the county 
wherein said institution is located, and a majority of whom shall re- 
side within fifty miles of said institution, and at the first meeting of 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 45 

said board, after their appointment aforesaid, they shall divide them- 
selves by lot into three equal classes, and shall serve for two, four, 
and six years respectively, from the date of their appointments, and 
until their successors shall have been appointed, and every alternate 
year thereafter the Governor shall, by and with the consent of the 
Senate, appoint three trustees to fill the places of those whose term 
of service will have expired, in accordance with the provisions of 
this section. 

6. In case of the declension of any member of said board of 
trustees to act under his appointment, or of the occurrence of any 
other casual vacancy in the board, the Governor shall forthwith ap- 
point some suitable person to fill such vacancy, and the member so 
appointed shall serve out the term of his predecessor. 

7. The trustees shall receive no compensation as such, but they 
may allow themselves mileage at the same rate as that paid to mem- 
bers of the Legislature, for any distance actually travelled in the 
service of the institution. Nor shall any trustee be pecuniarily in- 
terested in any contracts for buildings pertaining to the institution, 
or in furnishing supplies therefor. 

8. The board of trustees shall have charge of all the affairs of the 
institution, with power to make all necessary by-laws and regula- 
tions for their government and the proper manangement of the insti- 
tution, as well as for the admission of pupils, and to ail else which 
mav be found necessary for the advancement of its humane design. 

9. They shall elect from their own number a president, treasurer, 
and secretary, together with such standing committees as they may 
deem necessary, and adopt a common seal for the institution. 

10. The treasurer shall have the custody of all the funds of the 
institution, and pay out the same only upon properly authenticated 
orders of the board or its executive committee. Before entering 
upon the duties of his office he shall give a bond, with at least two 
sureties, to be approved as hereinafter stated, to the people of the 
State of New York, in the penal sum of twenty-five thousand 
dollars, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his trust, which 
bond shall be approved by the State Treasurer of this State, in 
whose office the same shall be filed. 

11. The trustees shall have pawer to appoint a competent and 
experienced superintendent, who shall be the chief executive officer 
of the institution, together with an efficient corps of instructors and 
other subordinate officers ; prescribe the duties and terras of service 
of the same; fix and pay their salaries, and, for just cause, remove 
any or all of them from office. They shall likewise employ the 
requisite number of servants and other assistants in the various 
departments of the institution, and pay the wages of the same. 

12. They shall purchase all furnitire, apparatus and other sup- 
plies necessary to the equipment and carrying on of the institution 
in the most efficient manner. 



46 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

13. When any blind person shall, upon proper application, be 
admitted into the institution, it shall be the duty of his or her 
parents, guardians or other friends, to suitably provide such person 
with clothing at the time of entrance and during continuance therein, 
and likewise to defray his or her traveling expenses to and from the 
institution at the time of entrance and discharge, as well as at the 
beginning and close of each session of the school, and at any other 
time when it shall become necessary to send such person home on 
account of sickness or other exigency. And whenever it shall be 
deemed necessary by the trustees to have such person permanently 
removed from the institution in accordance with the by-laws and 
regulations thereof, the same shall be promptly removed upon their 
order, by his or her parents, guardians or other friends. 

14. If the friends of any pupil from within the State of New York 
shall fail, through neglect or inability, to provide the same with 
proper clothing or with funds to defray his or her necessary travel- 
ing expenses to and from the institution, or to remove him or her 
therefrom, as required in the preceding section, the trustees shall 
furnish such clothing, pay such traveling expenses or remove such 
pupil to the care of the overseer of the poor of his or her township, 
and charge the cost of the same to the county to which the pupil 
belongs ; provided that the annual amount of such expenditures on 
account of any one pupil shall not exceed the sum of sixty dollars ; 
and in case of the death of any pupil at the institution, whose remains 
shall not be removed or funeral expenses borne by the friends thereof, 
the trustees shall defray the necessary burial expenses, and charge the 
same to his or her county as aforesaid. 

15. On the first day of October in each year, the trustees shall 
cause to be made out against the respective counties concerned, 
itemized accounts, separate in each case, of the expenditures author- 
ized by the preceding section of this act, and forward the same to 
the board of supervisors chargeable with the account. The board 
shall thereupon direct the county treasurer to pay the amount so 
charged, to the treasurer of the institution for the blind, on or before 
the first day of March next ensuing. 

16. The counties against which the said accounts shall be made 
out as aforesaid, shall cause their respective treasurers, in the name 
of their respective counties, to collect the same, by legal process, if 
necessary, from the parents or estates of the pupils who have the 
ability to pay, on whose account the said expenditures shall have 
been made ; provided that at least $500 value of the property of such 
parents or estate, shall be exempt from the payment of the accounts 
aforesaid. 

17. The institution shall be entitled to receive copies of all books 
and other publications which are distributed gratuitously by the 
State to township or county libraries, common schools, academies, 
colleges and societies; it may also receive, in the name of the State, 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 47 

bequests or donations of money or any kind of property, but such 
money or property shall in all cases belong to the State, and be 
subject to its control ; provided that the same shall not be diverted 
from the particular object for which it shall be bequeathed or 
donated. 

18. The board of trustees shall keep full and complete records of 
their proceeding, and make an annual report of the same to the Leg- 
islature, at the commencement of the regular session thereof, strictly 
accounting in detail for their expenditures, on account of the institu- 
tion, during the preceding: fiscal year of the State, setting forth the 
progress and condition of the several departments of the institution, 
making such suggestions concerning its future management as they 
may deem essential, and submitting proper estimates of the funds 
needed for its support, as well as for building and all other purposes. 

19. The State Treasurer is hereby directed to pay over to the 
trustees, upon the warrant of the Comptroller, all moneys which 
shall heieafter be appropriated on account of the New York State 
Institution lor the Blind ; the general appropriations for the current 
support of the institution, to be paid in equal quarterly installments^ 
and specific appropriations for building and other purposes, to be 
paid when needed by the trustees. 

20. All drafts upon the State treasury on behalf of the institution 
shall be based upon orders of the board of trustees, signed by the 
president and secretary of the same, and attested by the common 
seal of the institution. 

21. Sections nineteen and twenty of this act shall not be con- 
strued to alter, impair or affect the powers or duties of the building- 
commissioners appointed under the provisions of chapter five hundred 
and eighty-seven of the Laws of eighteen hundred and sixty-five ; 
and nothing in this act shall be construed to interfere with the erec- 
tion by said building commissioners of the State Institution for the 
Blind, in accordance with the plans heretofore approved by the Gov- 
ernor, Secretary of State and Comptroller ; and all moneys now or 
hereafter to be appropriated for the building of said institution, shall 
be paid to said building commissioners for that purpose. 

22. The New York Institution for the Blind shall continue to have 
the custody, charge, maintenance and education of all such pupils as 
are now entrusted to them by the State, and of any others who may 
be appointed prior to the opening of the State Institution at Batavia; 
and shall receive compensation from the State for the maintenance, 
education and support of said pupils in the same manner as is now, 
or has heretofore been provided, and shall receive the same amount 
per capita from the counties from which said pupils are respectively 
appointed as is now paid for their clothing, until such period as the 
New York State Institution for the Blind shall be ready to receive 
such pupils, and shall then, without reference to the term of years for 
which said pupils have been appointed under existing laws and 



48 .REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE 

received by said New York Institution for the Blind, transfer said 
pupils to said State Institution ; provided, however, that they shall 
retain and continue to receive all pupils heretofore appointed from 
the counties of New York, Kings, Queens and Suffolk, under the 
appointment of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in like 
manner as is now provided by law to be received, maintained and 
educated by the said New York Institution for the Blind, which shall 
be compensated for their maintenance and education by the State ; 
and for their clothing by the counties from which they are appointed, 
in like manner as is now done. 

23. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of 
this act, are hereby repealed. 

24. This act shall take effect immediately. 



NOTE FOUR. 

STATES WITH INSTITUTIONS FOR DEFECTIVES. 

The States in this country which have provided institutions for 
the care of their defective classes are as follows : 

Arkansas, has two institutions, one each for the deaf and dumb 
and the blind, with live instructors. 

Alabama, has one institution for the deaf and dumb and the blind, 
combined ; with three instructors. 

California, has one institution for the deaf and dumb and the 
blind, combined; with five instructors. 

Connecticut, has three institutions, two for the deaf and dumb and 
one for the feeble-minded ; with twelve instructors. 

Georgia, has two institutions, one each ior the deaf and dumb and 
the blind ; with eight teachers. 

Illinois has three, one each for the deaf and dumb, the blind and 
the feeble-minded; with twenty-four teachers. 

Indiana has two, one each for the deaf and dumb and the blind ; 
with twenty teachers. 

Iowa has two, one each for the deaf and dumb and the blind ; with 
sixteen teachers. 

Kansas has two, one each for the deaf and dumb and the blind ; 
with six teachers. 

Kentucky has three, one each for the deaf and dumb, the blind, 
and the feeble-minded ; with nineteen teachers. 

Louisiana has two, one each for the deaf and dumb and the blind; 
with six teachers. 

Maryland has two, one each for the deaf and dumb and the blind; 
with ten teachers. 



DEAF AND DUMB, BLIND AND FEEBLE-MINDED. 49 

Massachusetts has four, two for the deaf and dumb, one for the 
blind, and one for the feeble-minded; with twenty-four teachers. 

Michigan has one for the deaf and dumb and the blind, combined ; 
with fourteen teachers. 

Minnesota has one for the deaf and dumb and the blind, com- 
bined ; with six teachers. 

Mississippi has three, two for the deaf and dumb, and one for the 
blind ; with five teachers. 

Nebraska has one, for the deaf and dumb ; with one teacher. 

New York has six, three for the deaf and dumb, two for the blind, 
and one for the feeble-minded ; with sixty-one teachers. 

North Carolina has one for the deaf and dumb and blind, com 
bined ; with thirteen teachers. 

Ohio has three, one each for the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the 
feeble-minded; with twenty-nine teachers. 

Pennsylvania has four, two for the deaf and dumb, one for the 
blind, and one for the feeble-minded ; with forty-three teachers. 

South Carolina has one for the deaf and dumb and blind, com- 
bined ; with five teachers. 

Tennessee has two, one each for the deaf and dumb, and the blind ; 
with nine teachers. 

Texas has two, one each for the deaf and dumb, and the blind; 
with four teachers. 

Virginia has one for the deaf and dumb and the blind, combined; 
with twelve teachers. 

West Virginia has one for deaf mutes and the blind, combined; 
number of teachers not known. 

Wisconsin has two, one each for the deaf and dumb, and the 
blind; with fourteen teachers. 

It will be perceived that of the twenty-five States named in this 
list, seven have each one institution for the care of the deaf and dumb 
and blind, combined ; ten have each two separate institutions for the 
care respectively of the deaf and dumb, and the blind ; five have 
each three separate institutions for the care respectively of the deaf 
and dumb, the blind, and the feeble-minded ; two have each four 
separate institutions for the care respectively of the deaf and dumb, 
the blind, and the feeble-minded ; and one has six separate institu- 
tions for the care of the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the feeble- 
minded ; the total of the institutions in the United States for the 
care of these classes being fifty-nine, of which twenty-six are for the 
deaf and dumb, nineteen for the blind, seven for the deaf and dumb 
and blind combined, and seven for the feeble-minded. It will not 
escape notice that New Jersey is not among those humane States 
which have made such provision for their defectives, but is classed 
with those which, for some reason, have not done so as yet; the States 
that are without any institution for these unfortunates being : Dela- 
ware, Florida, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, 
Rhode Island and Vermont. 




027 279 909 



